So I was right in my analysis of Zoey and MC's problem that I wrote a long time ago. They both loved each other, they just didn't know it because Zoey doesn't want to talk about feelings and the MC didn't know how to properly show his love to Zoey. The MC didn't express his love because he loved Zoey and knew that Zoey doesn't like to talk about feelings. Zoey never mentioned it to the MC because she didn't understand his expressions of love.
It should be clear that Zoey and the MC had their first sex together in their lives. They deflowered each other, as you can see in EP10. That's why you don't need screenshots for this.
The key to the screenshots is what Zoey said to Bret, that it was a silent agreement. DPC also wrote that he made Interlude because he wanted us to understand some connections.
Zoey went to San Diego because she thought so she wouldn't be able to find comfort at home, not even from the MC, because she thought so they would just be fuck buddies. In EP9, the MC finally understands what love is and how to show it properly. But the MC learned that from another girl. Finally in EP10 the MC tells Zoey that she was his first love and that she understands that she messed up.
Can you blame the MC for this? No, I think it's because of Zoey and the MC's entire circumstances. Jacob’s question therefore appears in a different light. If the MC gives Jacob the okay for Zoey, then Zoey knows there's no going back, but if the MC says no to Jacob, then it might be so Zoey gets in on the poker for the MC.